One of the recurring, heartbreaking moments in the early part of Role Models is how scared Troy is of other peoples reactions to other gay people. It makes it so clear why he’s been so intent on hiding himself, how deep-rooted his internalized homophobia is. He doesn’t feel disgust when he sees two men kiss, or when he sees Harris walk into the locker room with pride pins. He feels terror and bewilderment. How could you just…be out? That’s not safe.
And it’s one thing in the locker room, really understandable to be a little nervous seeing pride pins in a notoriously homophobic space! But then he’s at the Kingfisher, and Eric and Kyle kiss "and Troy was floored. He glanced around the table to see how everyone else was reacting, but again, no one seemd to care."
An OUT HOCKEY SUPERSTAR is in a GAY BAR that HE OWNS with his FAMOUSLY GAY HOCKEY SUPERSTAR FRIEND. A GAY BAR that is full of GAY PEOPLE and ERIC & SCOTT'S FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS. He is kissing the BARTENDER OF A GAY BAR. No shit no one is surprised. It is, possibly, the safest place for Eric and Kyle to kiss.
I’m laughing, but god it’s so heartbreaking how deep Troy’s terror goes. Between his asshole dad and playing hockey from a young age, He’s literally never been in a place where it was safe to be queer. Even sitting in a gay bar with openly gay/bi men, he cannot conceive of a place where it is safe to be queer.
